Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O’Connor (1/29)

January 29, 2025

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker says Trump federal funding freeze was no accident 

“As a legal battle started playing out over the Trump administration’s order late Monday to put on hold federal loans and grants, Pritzker held a press conference this afternoon to talk about problems in Illinois that resulted, from medical care to child care, and rejected the Trump administration’s explanations,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

House Republicans ask state Supreme Court to toss out legislative map 

“Democrats continue to hold a supermajority in the Illinois House thanks to illegally gerrymandered House districts, House Republicans allege in a new lawsuit filed with the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday,” by Capitol News Illinois.

Gov. Pritzker announces $31 Million in Regional Site Readiness Program Grant awards

“On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker announced $31 million in funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for site readiness activities at 24 locations statewide, including Decatur, Springfield, Champaign, and other surrounding areas,” by WAND-TV.

GOP plan to cut Medicaid expansion could cost coverage for 900K Illinoisans, Dems say 

“Several Medicaid cuts are being discussed to help fund President Donald Trump’s massive tax cut and his immigration crackdown bill. But Illinois has a “trigger” law that would automatically end Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions in the state if federal funding is cut — which means 931,169 Illinoisans would lose their health coverage,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Pritzker considers bill aimed at protecting warehouse workers 

“Legislation now on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk aims at providing protections for workers at large warehouses such as those run by Amazon by requiring employers to be more transparent about productivity expectations and ensure workloads don’t prevent employees from taking breaks for meals, rest or visits to the bathroom,” by the Chicago Tribune.

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses calls to testify in Washington about sanctuary city policies 

“In an exclusive one-on-one conversation Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the Trump administration’s freeze on all public loans, grants and other aid unprecedented — and also called the investigation into sanctuary cities “disingenuous,” by CBS Chicago.

Fritz Kaegi has finalized his Chicago property assessments. Now come the appeals. 

“Kaegi today released the final figures from his 2024 reassessment of all Chicago properties, estimates that show the total assessed values of real estate citywide grew by 23% between 2023 and 2024,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Madigan ‘was not confused’ taking part in alleged bribery scheme, prosecutor says with jury on verge of deliberating 

“Nearly four months after they were first called to Chicago’s federal courthouse, jurors have begun deliberating in the most consequential Illinois public corruption case in years: the racketeering case of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidante, Michael McClain,” by the Chicago Tribune.

OIG report finds Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office improperly blocked access to gift room with Gucci bags, other designer items

“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office improperly blocked public access to a City Hall room where they said they store Gucci bags, designer cufflinks and other gifts, according to an investigation by the city’s Office of the Inspector General,” by the Chicago Tribune.

The battle over regulating intoxicating hemp moves to City Hall 

“After City Hall’s initial exploration to tax hemp products to help solve the city’s budget crisis stalled before they ever got off the ground late last year, Johnson tasked city departments to work out what a regulatory framework would entail,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents – The GOP’s Elusive Spending Cuts

In the face of competing pressures to cut spending and extend trillions in expiring tax cuts, GOP lawmakers are struggling to agree on how to finance their domestic policy agenda.

While President Trump’s return to the White House means tariffs will again dominate the US-China relationship, they will not be the only tool the new administration uses.

Big changes are coming to electric vehicles. Most of them can’t be accomplished by a day one executive order though.

Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing -Trump 2.0: Rebranding America

Trump’s second inauguration and the signing of over 40 executive actions signal the administration’s ambitious vision to rebrand America as a “winning” nation. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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